From: $1,318.00
Discover Turkey’s remarkable heritage on this immersive 6-day tour, departing from Istanbul. Explore the ancient cities of Ephesus and Pergamon, famed for their ruins, temples, and amphitheaters. Take in the stunning travertine terraces of Pamukkale and then venture into Cappadocia’s fairy-tale landscapes, home to unique rock formations and cave dwellings. A perfect blend of history and nature! Embark on this magical journey and uncover Turkey’s incredible past!
You will be picked up from your hotel in Istanbul around 4:00 am and transferred to the airport for your flight to Izmir, departing between 6:00 – 8:00 am. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Selçuk to meet your guide and begin your full-day Ephesus tour.
You’ll explore the ruins of Ephesus, including key sites like the Temple of Hadrian, the impressive Great Theater, and the Trajan Fountain. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the House of the Virgin Mary, believed to be where she spent her final years. You’ll also pass by the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and visit the beautiful Isa Bey Mosque, a masterpiece of Seljuk architecture.
After the tour, at 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to your hotel in Kusadasi for check-in. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your leisure.
After breakfast, around 8:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day tour of Pergamon. Following a scenic 3.5-hour drive, you will arrive at this historic city.
Your first stop will be the Pergamon Acropolis, which offers stunning panoramic views from its perch high above the plain. The Acropolis is home to the ruins of the world-famous Altar of Zeus, whose remains can still be seen today. You will also visit the remarkably well-preserved, steeply inclined theater, which once seated up to 10,000 spectators. Pergamon is also known as the birthplace of parchment paper. During your visit, you will explore the ruins of the Great Library, as well as the Temple of Trajan and the palaces of the kings.
Next, you’ll take a lunch break at a local restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Turkish cuisine and relax before continuing your journey.
After lunch, you will visit the Asclepion, one of the ancient world’s earliest centers of medical science. This healing sanctuary was famous for its treatments, and Galen, one of antiquity’s greatest physicians, practiced medicine here.
After the tour, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi.
After breakfast at around 7:30 am, you will be picked up from your Kusadasi hotel and taken to the meeting point in Selcuk, where the full group will gather. Your Pamukkale tour will begin with an 8:30 am departure from Selcuk, and the drive to Pamukkale will take approximately 3 hours. Along the way, there will be a 10-minute stop for a restroom break after 1.5 hours.
Upon arriving in Pamukkale at around 11:45 am, you will first enjoy lunch. After lunch, at approximately 1:00 pm, your guided tour of Pamukkale and the Hierapolis area will commence, led by a professional licensed tour guide. In Pamukkale, you will witness the breathtaking Cotton Cliffs, a natural wonder formed by calcareous salt deposits.
You will also explore the ancient ruins of the City of Hierapolis, including its basilica, theatre, and Roman Baths. At the end of the guided tour, you will have some free time to explore on your own. As an optional activity, you may choose to swim in the Pamukkale Antique Pools (at your own expense) during this free time. Your tour guide will provide details about the exact meeting point and time.
After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kusadasi, arriving around 7:30 pm.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Kusadasi. You will be picked up and transferred to Izmir Airport for your flight to either Kayseri or Nevsehir. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Cappadocia. After check-in, the rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore Cappadocia at your own pace.
For an additional option, you can book an early morning hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking aerial views of the valleys. Please note that this activity comes at an extra cost.
After breakfast around 9:30 am, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin the full-day tour of North Cappadocia. Your tour starts with a visit to Devrent Valley, famous for its unique fairy chimneys. Next, you will visit Pasabag Valley (Monks Valley) to see the mushroom-shaped pinnacles.
Afterward, you will drive to the town of Avanos, known for its pottery and ceramics, where you will stop for lunch. After lunch, the tour continues with a visit to the Zelve Open Air Museum. This museum offers an insightful look into the region’s monastic history, featuring carved caves and ancient churches.
Finally, before returning to your hotel, you will have about 15 minutes to take panoramic pictures of Uchisar Castle from the outside, as entry to the interior of the castle is not permitted.
After the tour ends at around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax, explore the city at your own pace, or participate in optional activities.
For additional activities, you can choose a Turkish Night show with dinner, a 2-hour ATV tour, a 2-hour horseback riding tour through Cappadocia’s valleys, or attend a 1-hour Whirling Dervish show, where you can witness the enchanting Sufi tradition. All these activities are available at an extra cost.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and be picked up around 9:30 am to begin your full-day tour of South Cappadocia. Your first stop will be the breathtaking Red Valley, where you’ll explore the famous rock-cut churches and hike 5 km through the serene Rose Valley (Gulludere Vadisi), renowned for its stunning pink-hued rock formations.
Next, you’ll visit Cavusin Village, known for its ancient cave houses and churches once inhabited by Christian clergymen. Around noon, you’ll take a break for lunch at a local restaurant, savoring authentic Turkish flavors.
After lunch, the tour will continue to Pigeon Valley (Guvercinlik Vadisi), where you’ll witness the valley’s iconic pigeon houses carved into the cliffs. In the afternoon, you’ll explore either the Kaymakli Underground City or Ozkonak Underground City, both remarkable underground cities where early Christians took refuge.
At the end of the tour, around 4:00 pm, you will be transferred to Kayseri or Nevşehir Airport for your evening flight back to Istanbul. Departure times are subject to flight availability, typically between 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, with the flight lasting approximately 1.5 hours. END OF OUR SERVICE and TOURS.
Please note that transportation from Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW) to your hotel in Istanbul is not included in the tour price.
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Lorelei C –
Just returned from an incredible 4 day trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Pamukkale, and Ephesus. We loved our overnight stay in the cave hotel in Goreme. Bilal our contact with One Nation Travel did a great job in organizing it all. Many emails back and forth always answered promptly and informatively. Would highly recommend this trip!